While in some regions the season of picnics and walks is just beginning, in popular resorts real summer has already arrived. At the end of May 2026, the water temperature in some areas approached +30 °C, and social networks were filled with images of the turquoise sea, hot sand and beaches reminiscent of July.
Tourists admit that many have not remembered such a warm sea in May for a long time.
Russians are now especially actively choosing Egypt, Thailand, Bali and certain resorts in Southeast Asia, where the water has warmed up almost to the state of “fresh milk”.
Bali and Phuket
According to travel services and specialized reviews, at the end of April – May, the water temperature in Bali and Phuket reaches +29…+30°C.
Tourists note that the sea here is so warm that you don’t want to get out of the water even in the evening. White sand beaches, evening walks by the ocean and relaxation in villas by the water are especially popular now.
Egypt
Egypt remains one of the main destinations in May. In the Red Sea, the water temperature already reaches +26°C, and the air remains stably around +30.
Tourism market experts call the end of spring one of the best periods for a trip: the intense summer heat has not yet arrived, but the sea is already completely ready for a beach holiday.
Türkiye is warming up rapidly
The Mediterranean coast of Turkey is also entering the active phase of the season. In Side, Belek and Alanya, the water warms up to +22…+23°C, and the air in some places exceeds +28°C.
Especially many tourists now choose the “early summer” format – when it is already possible to sunbathe and swim, but the beaches are not yet as crowded as in July and August.
What about in Russia?
At Russian resorts, the swimming season is just beginning to unfold. In Sochi, the sea still remains cool – about +18 °C; a full-fledged beach season here usually starts closer to June.
At the same time, weather forecasters are already recording abnormal heat in many regions of the country. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the air temperature on some days exceeded +30 °C.
In Kuban, experts also predict a very hot summer in 2026.
Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Maya Lomidze previously noted that Russians are increasingly focusing not only on the price of the trip, but also on climatic comfort, choosing destinations where they can get a full-fledged summer vacation in May.
According to tourism industry experts, the end of May is considered one of the most comfortable periods for beach tourism: the sea is already warm, and extreme heat and peak prices have not yet arrived, writes ATOR.
Previously, we wrote about where tourists who are tired of Dubai and Bali go.
